University of California-Davis Top Questions

Dear Alice, This is a letter from the cuture you. Now you are a high school senior, and you are uncertain about your future. Choose UC Davis, you will make a lot of friends and find yourself becoming mature there. Do not worry about the acne problem and your weight; your face will clear up in sophomore year in college, and you will lose weight next summer. You might gain a little bit weight again, but it is okay, you will lose weight again. If you meet guys named Daniel and David, do not date them.Both are hearbreakers. Date the guy named Norman, he is the love of your life. You will have an amazing experience with him. Study. That is what makes you success in the future. Actually, study a lot even though you might not want to sometime. At the end, it will be rewarding. Future Alice.

I would advise myself that the workload is a lot more challenging and heavy; so, be ready to study extra hard. If you want to make friends and get connected, then you have to get out there. You can't just sit around waiting for someone to come to you or wait on someone else to take you. If you want to do something such as go to a football game or other event, then go! If you need help with school work or you don't understand something, then go ask. Go to office hours no matter what; they really help! Be persistent in finding answers, especially when it comes to classes and the way the system works. Get out there and get involved. Follow your own heart. Don't let someone elses dreams get in the way or take over your own dreams. You should-no-need to do what makes you happy. Only then will you enjoy life and be truely happy. And always remember, things are never as bad as they seem. You will get bad grades, but that doesn't signify the end of the world. Enjoy and remember the good times and have fun!

Hey there! Let me tell you something to make your college experience even better than it was. First off, you may want to invest in some good elbow pads and better bike lock. Your classmates are extremely intellegent and very kind, but when in the middle of a bike loop, they like to throw elbows and not use turn signals. Oh, and squirrels think its funny to play "dodge your bike tires" so watch out! You are going to love the smell of Davis, the cow manure reminds you of your own hometown. But most importantly, some big diferences that you need to work on is that college is heavily based on midterms and finals. I know in high school you didn't do so well on tests and relied on your homework grade a lot, but now you need to learn how to test better. Also, there are tons of tutoring so don't be shy to ask for help, and best part is, its free! It's really helpful since tuition is so high (expect to take out a lot of loans, and work on paying them off when you can). You will love your roommate too!

College will be fun, but it will also be a lot of work. There are certain goals you have in mind for your social life during your first year, like getting a girlfriend. The girlfriend can wait. Make sure you have a secure circle of friends you can trust in before you try dating. Those friends will be with you for the rest of college. Also, make sure you always have time for yourself, and although jobs may be enticing, think about them before you get hired. Think about the people you will be working with, and whether you would get along with them, even if the job is amazing. Always take care of yourself first; there are plenty of situations where you can be happy and still get what you want. It just takes patience and some looking around. There's no rush to experience college; it will come as you grow. For now, though, just focus on your last year and that high school diploma. You've earned it.

would tell myself that college is a time to really discover yourself. Its a phase of your life that you truly are the master of. previously life has felt like it has been run by the adults, but now it runs at your will. If you don't attend lecture no one will care, if you, go out partying all night your parents don't have to know, if you take a leisurely light workload it will be you that takes the consequences of it latter on. That's what college is: a time in your life that you have absolute freedom and you learn how your time management decision can really build you to become the great person your college wants to sculpt you into, or a time that will be consumed with cramming for finals in all nighters and an alcoholl dipped social life. Its a time for you to really take charge of your life.

Don't try and fit in with what you take to be the college's image, find those aspects of the school that suit you, and take advantage of them. Broaden your horizons by taking up the school on all of the opportunities provided, but stay true to yourself.

Even if you go to a community college at first, still try as hard as you can and take some classes that require you to be creative or for you to use your hands. Having those classes will give your mind a break from all the research you will have to do.

Explore more extracurricular activities. Don't study so much, but don't procrastinate. Take time to enjoy each day. Buy books online, don't live in the dormitory, hang out with friends more. Do my best.

Relax. There's nothing to be nervous about. Just keep an open mind, be friendly and have fun.

I would tell myself to become more involved in school activities and clubs just because it looks better on a graduate school application. I've been able to stay focused and do well in school without stressing out too much. I'd say that's one of the main things I'd do again, not take classes too seriously and enjoy my college life because it goes by quickly. Grades and going well in class is important but not if you're sanity has to be sacrificed to accomplish it. I would tell myself also to be a little more organized with deciding my major. However, few people really know what they want their major to be and what they want to do in life. It just would have been nice to have figured it out sooner than I did. And one more thing, use the resources that are available. There's a lot that can be learned by simply having a conversation with a professor or a graduate student, or even an upper classman and most are more than willing to help out someone struggling to find their way.